A five-year-old boy has died and two members of his family remain in critical condition following a devastating gas explosion at a home in Lexington, Missouri.
The incident occurred shortly before 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, at a residence near 18th Street between Franklin and South streets. According to authorities, a subcontractor had struck a gas line several hours earlier while installing fiber-optic cable.
Utility crews and emergency responders were on the scene working to address the leak when the explosion occurred.
Victims and emergency response
Alistair Lamb, age 5, was killed in the blast. His father, Jacob Cunningham, and 10-year-old sister, Camillia “Cami” Lamb, both sustained critical injuries and were taken to the burn unit at University Hospital in Columbia.
The explosion was so powerful that it shook homes across the neighborhood, blew out windows, and ignited multiple fires. Nearby residents reported hearing a thunderous boom and seeing flames engulfing the home and surrounding structures.
Liberty Utilities, the local gas provider, shut off gas service to the entire town shortly after the explosion as a precaution. Emergency crews remained on site overnight.
Timeline of events
The rupture in the gas line was first reported at around 4:15 p.m., more than three hours before the explosion. Residents said the smell of gas was noticeable long before the blast.
“I smelled it about 5:30,” said Sarah Rodriguez-Colon, who lives a block away. “My daughter noticed it even earlier, around 3:30.”
Despite the leak, residents were not evacuated. One neighbor said she asked multiple times if it was safe to remain in the area. “They told me, ‘You’re fine,’” said Alicia Billings, who had been sitting on her porch with her granddaughter.
The situation escalated rapidly once the gas ignited.
Investigation under way
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the explosion, with support from the Missouri Public Service Commission and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The subcontractor responsible for the damaged gas line has not yet been publicly identified.
Experts suggest that the pipe was likely made of plastic—a common material for distribution lines—and may have allowed gas to migrate through the soil into the home or other confined spaces. Even a minor spark could have triggered the explosion once a sufficient concentration of gas was reached.
Investigators will examine whether proper safety protocols were followed after the leak was discovered, and why no evacuation was ordered despite the presence of emergency crews on site.
A family already grieving
The explosion comes just over a year after the death of Rachel Lamb-Cunningham, Jacob’s wife and mother to the two children, who passed away in December 2023 due to complications from diabetes. Since her death, Jacob had been raising the children on his own.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover funeral costs, medical expenses, and recovery support for the family. Contributions can also be made through Bank Midwest in Lexington under the care of Catherine Woods.
Community in shock
Lexington residents are mourning the loss and expressing anger over how the situation was handled.
“The whole town is shaken,” said Maria Summers, who lives just half a block away. Her home suffered significant damage, including shattered windows and structural impacts. “It’s just heartbreaking. Everyone knew there was a leak, but nobody was told to get out.”
The NTSB has not announced a timeline for completing its investigation but has indicated that a final report could take more than a year. In the meantime, officials are urging residents to report any suspected gas leaks immediately and to evacuate when advised, even if reassurances are given.
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